Dr. Lively's Perspective on Degrees of the Future
The graduate education marketplace is undergoing a significant transformation. As Generation Z completes their undergraduate studies, and Millennials look for opportunities to learn and grow in their established careers, some students are turning away from traditional graduate programs and seeking innovative, interdisciplinary options.
The modern world requires that people are well versed in multiple fields, hence the rise in popularity of interdisciplinary studies; where students can take courses from multiple areas of study across a university, all working towards one multi-faceted degree. To gain a deeper understanding of this evolving landscape, we spoke with Dr. Cece Lively, the Director of Portfolio Management for Professional Education at Baylor University.
“People really want more of an interdisciplinary approach to their degree,” Dr. Lively explained. "When you graduate with an MBA, your world and career options are kind of wide open. You’re not pigeonholed into one specific business area or vertical. The appeal of an interdisciplinary degree is similar as students consider, how can I kind of create my own master’s degree, giving me a wider array of career options or catering to my unique interests?”
This shift towards more personalized and interdisciplinary education is also being driven by the changing demands of the job market. Employers are increasingly seeking candidates with diverse skill sets and the ability to think critically across multiple domains. “The job market is evolving rapidly, and employers are looking for graduates who can adapt to new challenges and bring a broad perspective to their work,” Dr. Lively noted. “Interdisciplinary programs are a great way to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in this dynamic working environment.”
Dr. Lively also emphasized the importance of flexibility and customization in graduate education. “Students today are looking for programs that allow them to tailor their education to their unique interests, passions and career goals. They want the ability to mix and match courses from different disciplines to create a customized educational experience that aligns with their personal and professional aspirations.”
Furthermore, Dr. Lively pointed out that the rise of online education has made it easier for students to access a wide range of courses and programs from institutions around the world. “Online education has opened new opportunities for students to pursue interdisciplinary studies. Especially with Baylor’s MSIDS [Master of Interdisciplinary Studies] where we allow students to transfer in up to half of their degree with previously earned credits. I’m specifically seeing a lot of students that previously enrolled in a graduate-level program but needed to take a break for a variety of reasons, reaching out about finishing their degree which they didn’t think was previously possible.”
The future of graduate education is likely to be characterized by greater flexibility and customization. As Dr. Lively aptly put it, “We need to be responsive to the changing needs and preferences of students. By offering a diverse offering of interdisciplinary course options in one master’s program, we can help students achieve their educational and career goals in a way that is meaningful and relevant to them.”
This program format presents exciting opportunities for both students and educational institutions. By embracing interdisciplinary studies, we can create a more dynamic and inclusive graduate education system that better prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the future.